UFC 109

Lore & Background

The bout between Randy Couture and Mark Coleman was originally scheduled for UFC 17 in 1998, but a Couture injury forced the cancellation. Nearly twelve years later, this bout headlined UFC 109. It marked the first time in UFC history that two Hall of Fame inductees fought in an event.

In Their Own Story

The MGM Grand Garden Arena hummed with a low, electric tension as the lights dimmed over the octagon. The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, and two men walked out to opposite corners—one in black shorts, calm and measured, the other in blue, bouncing on the balls of his feet with a grin that seemed almost reckless. The bell rang. Barnett circled, hands high, eyes scanning for an opening to shoot in. Rua did not wait. A left hook to the body, a right to the temple, a knee that snapped Barnett's head back. The crowd gasped, then roared. Barnett dropped, and the fight was over before the second round's final minute had even begun. The referee waved it off. Rua stood, raised both fists, and the arena erupted. Somewhere in the back row, a man in a Barnett jersey slowly pulled it off his shoulders and walked out into the Las Vegas night.

Reader's Guide

The main event was Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman. Other bouts included Chael Sonnen vs. Nate Marquardt, Paulo Thiago vs. Mike Swick, Demian Maia vs. Dan Miller, Matt Serra vs. Frank Trigg, and Joey Beltran vs. Rolles Gracie. The winner of the Marquardt vs. Sonnen fight was to receive a title shot against the winner of the Silva/Maia fight at UFC 112.

Did You Know?

• A previously rumoured bout between Renzo Gracie and Matt Hughes did not take place on this card, but took place at UFC 112.
• Antônio Rogério Nogueira withdrew from his bout against Brandon Vera due to an ankle injury; Vera later faced Jon Jones at UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones.
• Josh Koscheck was forced off the card with an injury; Mike Swick replaced him against Paulo Thiago.
• Mostapha Al-turk had visa issues; Joey Beltran replaced him against Rolles Gracie.
• The preliminary bouts on Spike TV drew a series-high of 1.7 million viewers.